Historic preservation panel approves composite steps for Hawthorne home at 610 Tenth Avenue South

The Historic Preservation Commission on Sept. 16 approved an application to remove and replace the front steps at 610 Tenth Avenue South in the Hawthorne neighborhood, a property within the Chazette Roberts Historic Overlay District. Chelsea Lieverson of the Department of Planning and Development presented the application and noted a permit is already in place.

Lieverson told commissioners the house, identified in city records as a Sears Roebuck model built in 1932, has cracked, settled concrete steps. "According to the applicant, composite decking will provide better traction and alleviate standing water on the steps, which will assist with mobility challenges of the homeowner," Lieverson said.

Staff packet materials included street views from February 2024 and February 2025 and examples of similar projects in the neighborhood. The applicant proposed composite decking in the color "mesa" with a black metal railing. Lieverson said staff had reviewed the submission and answered technical questions during the presentation.

Commissioner 2 moved to approve the application as submitted; Commissioner 4 seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote. Minutes from the commission’s July 15 meeting were approved earlier in the same session.

The approval authorizes the work described in the application; Lieverson noted that final inspections and any code-related review remain subject to the inspections department and the building permit already filed. There were no stated conditions attached to the commission's approval during the hearing.

The commission adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for Oct. 21, 2025.